I meant to blog a long time ago. But then the plague hit (again).
I took Bertie to Happy Hollow a couple weeks ago. It's a small zoo with rides for little kids, and it's only a few miles from the house. He wasn't too impressed with the animals. There was a leopard roaming around in its habitat, which he liked. But he didn't care about the petting zoo (which I was surprised about). But he loved the rides. He was tall enough for the carousel, the cars, and the bugs. The cars just drive in a circle, and the bugs go up and down (and around). The cars and bugs he could go on by himself. I had to ride the carousel with him. But it wasn't crowded, so he rode again and again.
I'm really trying to take him to a lot of different places: zoo, the beach, different parks etc. We go to the mall a lot, just to walk (where it's cool) and to use the little playground. Next Monday, I'm going to take him to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. He liked it last time, and I'm debating leaving the stroller, and letting him walk where he wants. (I may bring the sling, or ergo.)
Aaron was sick with some derivative of bronchitis for a week. Well, he missed a week of work. He's still coughing a bit, but he seems to finally be on the mend (after 2+ weeks).
It was a stressful week. Aaron was super sick, Bertie was a little sick. I was supposed to see Brianon and Thomas while they were in town, but Bertram took a super long nap and we didn't get to see them (there was a small window of opportunity). I was supposed to meet another friend, but cancelled at the last minute, due to all the sickness, and stress and other crap. I shouldn't have, but I did. I suck. But I did get to see Amanda, and catch up after maybe a year since seeing her.
Depression is creeping back in. It's definitely easier to isolate myself. I've been feeling overwhelmed lately (partly because of the sickness etc). I have two girlfriends locally (Amanda and Colleen), so I'm trying to make an effort to see them more.
I think there was something else I was going to write about, but I can't think of anything else.
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Friday, October 2, 2015
The Lord of the Flies
This is how I feel about the play space at the mall. Bertie always wants to go whenever we walk at the mall. Most of the time I oblige him (unless it's super over run with kids). It was fairly crowded today, but I'd already told him we could go (which lead to a constant chant of "slide, slide, slide").
He is oblivious to most of the things I look out for. Actually, he's oblivious to most things. There were several kids that were too big to be in there, mid to late elementary, leaping from object to object. He's usually the smallest one, though not today, there were some smaller ones.
I try not to be a helicopter parent, but I hover. I make sure the bigger kids don't steal his spot in line again and again. I make sure he doesn't get kicked in the face by flailing limbs of other toddlers. I make sure he doesn't cut in line. I take him away from the bully kids (since he doesn't defend himself). For some reason, most other parents don't do this. They don't make sure their kids aren't just standing on the slide, or pushing other kids, or aren't too big to be there in the first place. They stare at their phones.
Today, aside from the leaping big kids: There was a girl, probably about 4 years old, and all of her top teeth were gold. ALL OF THEM. (I am so judgey. Seriously, how lax do you have to be with your child's dental hygiene that 50% of their teeth are crowns?!) She was hard to understand, but I think she accused Bertie of cutting in line, and then said that if you cut in line, you get messed up (or cussed out, again she was hard to understand). And then I judged her parents again (also they were no where to be seen, as she laid atop the slide, threatening to kick anyone who got too close).
There was something else that was really setting off my radar. A mom was there with her son, who was probably 12 or 13. I'm not sure if she had a little kid too. But the boy was giving me a really weird vibe. Like a groomer kind of vibe. We was playing with random kids, patting Bertie on the head. It was weird. I'm sure I'm just thinking the worst of people, but my gut was telling me otherwise, so I went with it. And I watched him closely when he was near Bertie. And had he done anything more than pat his head I would have told him it's not ok to touch my kid. I was really glad to get him out of there today.
He is oblivious to most of the things I look out for. Actually, he's oblivious to most things. There were several kids that were too big to be in there, mid to late elementary, leaping from object to object. He's usually the smallest one, though not today, there were some smaller ones.
I try not to be a helicopter parent, but I hover. I make sure the bigger kids don't steal his spot in line again and again. I make sure he doesn't get kicked in the face by flailing limbs of other toddlers. I make sure he doesn't cut in line. I take him away from the bully kids (since he doesn't defend himself). For some reason, most other parents don't do this. They don't make sure their kids aren't just standing on the slide, or pushing other kids, or aren't too big to be there in the first place. They stare at their phones.
Today, aside from the leaping big kids: There was a girl, probably about 4 years old, and all of her top teeth were gold. ALL OF THEM. (I am so judgey. Seriously, how lax do you have to be with your child's dental hygiene that 50% of their teeth are crowns?!) She was hard to understand, but I think she accused Bertie of cutting in line, and then said that if you cut in line, you get messed up (or cussed out, again she was hard to understand). And then I judged her parents again (also they were no where to be seen, as she laid atop the slide, threatening to kick anyone who got too close).
There was something else that was really setting off my radar. A mom was there with her son, who was probably 12 or 13. I'm not sure if she had a little kid too. But the boy was giving me a really weird vibe. Like a groomer kind of vibe. We was playing with random kids, patting Bertie on the head. It was weird. I'm sure I'm just thinking the worst of people, but my gut was telling me otherwise, so I went with it. And I watched him closely when he was near Bertie. And had he done anything more than pat his head I would have told him it's not ok to touch my kid. I was really glad to get him out of there today.
Monday, September 28, 2015
Bertram's Awful, No Good, Horrible, Very Bad Day.
It started at 4am. He started to cry. I let him go for a while, but he didn't go back to sleep. I looked closer at the monitor, and could see he was soaked. Aaron and I went in, and he was super wet from chest to toe, and his bed (and favourite toy, Charlie Bear) were soaked as well. We changed everything out, and he went back to sleep fairly quickly. He woke up next around 8, and was not too unhappy, but was very poopy. I got him cleaned up, fed, and then we went out the door to the DMV. (I told him it was almost time to go, and he dragged my purse over to me, and said "go!").
We were at the DMV for about 50 minutes, fairly short, by DMV standards, but fairly long by 18 month-old standards. He lost his patience pretty quickly, and kept saying "go" and "slide". I kept reassuring him, not that it helped. He was really starting to melt towards the end.
We got in the car, and headed to Willow Street Park. He was really excited when we got there. He played on the different things, and then he wanted to swing. So I pushed him. (And practically gave him whiplash by stopping the swing to keep him from crashing into a wayward kid(way to go attentive parents)). And he swung for 10-15 minutes, and wanted to keep swinging, but I was getting dizzy from watching him. So I told him we had to let other kids have a turn (it's true, all the swings were being used). And when I got him out, he want into full tantrum mode, and threw himself to the ground. (Scraping his forehead in the process). He calmed down and bit, and climbed up the equipment. Wayward kid (probably about 1 year old) and his mom were on there too. And like a flash Wayward kid had a fistful of Bertie's hair. I pinned Bertie down, and Wayward kid's mom worked on loosening his kung-fu grip. By that time, Bertie was in full hysterics and it was time to go. He'd calm down, then make a pulling his hair motion and start crying all over again. (That continued the whole way home).
I changed him, and laid him down, He didn't sleep, he'd wet through again. I changed him, and laid him down again, and he finally slept. (And so did I).
He was unhappy when he woke up. Still upset about the hair pulling incident (continuing the hair pulling motion, and pouting), and he was trying to tell me something I wasn't understanding, which upset him further, compounded by the fact that I was offering him yogurt that he didn't want. Eventually, he was composed, and we went to the grocery store. Once we were there, he decided he was staving. I got him some Hawaiian rolls, and he was fairly happy.
When we got home, he was good for a bit. He demanded to go again, so he and I walked around the block. He was fairly happy with that and once daddy came home.
His last canine tooth is coming in, so that doesn't help things. But he was ok in the evening, and went to sleep fairly quickly.
We were at the DMV for about 50 minutes, fairly short, by DMV standards, but fairly long by 18 month-old standards. He lost his patience pretty quickly, and kept saying "go" and "slide". I kept reassuring him, not that it helped. He was really starting to melt towards the end.
We got in the car, and headed to Willow Street Park. He was really excited when we got there. He played on the different things, and then he wanted to swing. So I pushed him. (And practically gave him whiplash by stopping the swing to keep him from crashing into a wayward kid(way to go attentive parents)). And he swung for 10-15 minutes, and wanted to keep swinging, but I was getting dizzy from watching him. So I told him we had to let other kids have a turn (it's true, all the swings were being used). And when I got him out, he want into full tantrum mode, and threw himself to the ground. (Scraping his forehead in the process). He calmed down and bit, and climbed up the equipment. Wayward kid (probably about 1 year old) and his mom were on there too. And like a flash Wayward kid had a fistful of Bertie's hair. I pinned Bertie down, and Wayward kid's mom worked on loosening his kung-fu grip. By that time, Bertie was in full hysterics and it was time to go. He'd calm down, then make a pulling his hair motion and start crying all over again. (That continued the whole way home).
I changed him, and laid him down, He didn't sleep, he'd wet through again. I changed him, and laid him down again, and he finally slept. (And so did I).
He was unhappy when he woke up. Still upset about the hair pulling incident (continuing the hair pulling motion, and pouting), and he was trying to tell me something I wasn't understanding, which upset him further, compounded by the fact that I was offering him yogurt that he didn't want. Eventually, he was composed, and we went to the grocery store. Once we were there, he decided he was staving. I got him some Hawaiian rolls, and he was fairly happy.
When we got home, he was good for a bit. He demanded to go again, so he and I walked around the block. He was fairly happy with that and once daddy came home.
His last canine tooth is coming in, so that doesn't help things. But he was ok in the evening, and went to sleep fairly quickly.
Monday, September 21, 2015
Exercise
My sister and I started a new work out today: Bikini Body Mommy 6 week mini-challenge. Six days a week, 20-30 minutes at a time, consisting of upper body, lower body and cardio. Today was day one, and I wanted to get off on the right foot. So I got up at 5:45 so I could jog (once it's cold I can go during the day, but it's kind of nice to get up and get it done). I jog/walked for 30ish minutes, then came home and did the upper body work out. As I was about to get in the shower Bertie woke up (a little after 7). And after he'd had milk, he walked over to the door and said "go!" I figured since it was going to be super hot again today, we may as well go. And we were out of milk, so I figured we could walk to the store after the park. I loaded up the stroller and we headed out. The whole way there, Bertram said "slide, slide". We played for a while, walked to Grocery Outlet, and then walked home. I hit 10,000 steps just before 9 am.
I'm going to aim to jog 3-4 days a week.
Nursing
We are officially done with nursing. I felt bad, because I cut it off. And the first couple days when Bertie was upset, he would cry "boobie, boobie" and pull on my shirt. But now he's ok. I have mixed feelings. I'm glad to be done, but at the same time I miss it.
Adderall
Now that nursing is done, Adderall is back! My shrink actually wanted me back on it sooner, but knew that nursing was important to me. I really forgot how wonderful Adderall is, and I can see why people abuse it. But I really feel more focused, and more importantly, awake! I'm hoping that the combination of exercise, completing breastfeeding, and adding Adderall will help me lose some weight, because I'm tired of being chunky.
Heat
It has been so hot lately! It was 97 today! And it's been hot for most of the previous week. I'm really looking forward to fall. Sweaters, crisp air, maybe some rain?
Baby
We were trying for baby #2. My sister is getting married next year. Originally it was in Oct, or Nov, so I figured we could try through October, then stop if not pregnant, and start again in Spring. (I either need to be in early to mid pregnancy, or with a new baby. I can't travel while hugely pregnant). But the wedding got moved up to June. So I went back on the pill, and we'll start up again late January. (So I have a little over 4 months to lose weight!)
Bits about today
Today was pretty good. My MiL watched Bertie so I could shower after our walk. He took a really early nap (and was asleep before 10:30). After he napped we met dad at Olive Garden for lunch. I tried to have him nap again after lunch, but he didn't. I got a letter with no return address. In it was a $60 gift certificate to a nail salon nearby. I have no idea who sent it, but it was a great surprise! We had dinner with Aaron's folks. I got the house tidied up, swept, did (and put away) laundry, dishes, etc. So we're in good shape for tomorrow. I have a dentist appointment at 10:40, for a cleaning.
My sister and I started a new work out today: Bikini Body Mommy 6 week mini-challenge. Six days a week, 20-30 minutes at a time, consisting of upper body, lower body and cardio. Today was day one, and I wanted to get off on the right foot. So I got up at 5:45 so I could jog (once it's cold I can go during the day, but it's kind of nice to get up and get it done). I jog/walked for 30ish minutes, then came home and did the upper body work out. As I was about to get in the shower Bertie woke up (a little after 7). And after he'd had milk, he walked over to the door and said "go!" I figured since it was going to be super hot again today, we may as well go. And we were out of milk, so I figured we could walk to the store after the park. I loaded up the stroller and we headed out. The whole way there, Bertram said "slide, slide". We played for a while, walked to Grocery Outlet, and then walked home. I hit 10,000 steps just before 9 am.
I'm going to aim to jog 3-4 days a week.
Nursing
We are officially done with nursing. I felt bad, because I cut it off. And the first couple days when Bertie was upset, he would cry "boobie, boobie" and pull on my shirt. But now he's ok. I have mixed feelings. I'm glad to be done, but at the same time I miss it.
Adderall
Now that nursing is done, Adderall is back! My shrink actually wanted me back on it sooner, but knew that nursing was important to me. I really forgot how wonderful Adderall is, and I can see why people abuse it. But I really feel more focused, and more importantly, awake! I'm hoping that the combination of exercise, completing breastfeeding, and adding Adderall will help me lose some weight, because I'm tired of being chunky.
Heat
It has been so hot lately! It was 97 today! And it's been hot for most of the previous week. I'm really looking forward to fall. Sweaters, crisp air, maybe some rain?
Baby
We were trying for baby #2. My sister is getting married next year. Originally it was in Oct, or Nov, so I figured we could try through October, then stop if not pregnant, and start again in Spring. (I either need to be in early to mid pregnancy, or with a new baby. I can't travel while hugely pregnant). But the wedding got moved up to June. So I went back on the pill, and we'll start up again late January. (So I have a little over 4 months to lose weight!)
Bits about today
Today was pretty good. My MiL watched Bertie so I could shower after our walk. He took a really early nap (and was asleep before 10:30). After he napped we met dad at Olive Garden for lunch. I tried to have him nap again after lunch, but he didn't. I got a letter with no return address. In it was a $60 gift certificate to a nail salon nearby. I have no idea who sent it, but it was a great surprise! We had dinner with Aaron's folks. I got the house tidied up, swept, did (and put away) laundry, dishes, etc. So we're in good shape for tomorrow. I have a dentist appointment at 10:40, for a cleaning.
Friday, September 18, 2015
Catch up
Bertie had a grumpy day. It happens every now and then. But he did mostly ok. He took a short nap. We went to the grocery store. On the way there, we pass a park, at which he shouted "Slide! Slide!" Slide and ball are his favourite words lately.
Other Bertram things: He loves going in the backyard at his grandma and grandpa's house. Mostly because there are tomato plants, and he'll snatch them off the vine and eat them (even the green ones). He's been learning a lot of words. I asked him to say his name, but it just sounds like Burbur. He likes playing in the car. He's been asking for Nana since she left. He looks in her room. And when I get my phone, he'll point at it and say "Nana", then I show him her picture. He also recognizes Aaron's ringtone.
We're now weaning in earnest. I resented Aaron for saying it was time. (I thought it was pretty cute that Bertie would say "boobie", but I guess Aaron didn't). But it is time, and I'm ready to be done. But I'll miss it. There is an indescribable closeness that comes with it. It was hard today, because he was having a rough time, and saying "Boobie, boobie". He was pretty easily distracted, but I felt awful doing it.
But since, I'm doing that, I can start taking Ritalin again.
I haven't been feeling confident about my look lately. My skin is bad, I can't make my hair look good, I'm over-weight and not digging my double chin. I'm working on exercising more and eating better. But, of course, nothing happens overnight. And Bertie broke our scale, so I can't really keep track very well.
I'm going to buy my plane tickets for Virginia soon. Bertram and I will go in early November.
Other Bertram things: He loves going in the backyard at his grandma and grandpa's house. Mostly because there are tomato plants, and he'll snatch them off the vine and eat them (even the green ones). He's been learning a lot of words. I asked him to say his name, but it just sounds like Burbur. He likes playing in the car. He's been asking for Nana since she left. He looks in her room. And when I get my phone, he'll point at it and say "Nana", then I show him her picture. He also recognizes Aaron's ringtone.
We're now weaning in earnest. I resented Aaron for saying it was time. (I thought it was pretty cute that Bertie would say "boobie", but I guess Aaron didn't). But it is time, and I'm ready to be done. But I'll miss it. There is an indescribable closeness that comes with it. It was hard today, because he was having a rough time, and saying "Boobie, boobie". He was pretty easily distracted, but I felt awful doing it.
But since, I'm doing that, I can start taking Ritalin again.
I haven't been feeling confident about my look lately. My skin is bad, I can't make my hair look good, I'm over-weight and not digging my double chin. I'm working on exercising more and eating better. But, of course, nothing happens overnight. And Bertie broke our scale, so I can't really keep track very well.
I'm going to buy my plane tickets for Virginia soon. Bertram and I will go in early November.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Another quick post
- Bertie was a terror the last few days. LOTS of tantrums. I couldn't guess what would set him off. But today was SO much better. He was back to his usual happy self, Not sure if it was teeth, or what, but hopefully things will stay happy.
- My sister and I finished the 30 day yoga challenge last Friday. Now were working our way through the Bikini Body Mommy Challenges.
- I miss my mom, It was so fun when she was here. Plus having an extra set of hands is great. Also, Bertie is still walking around saying "Nana?" It makes me sad. But we'll go out there in November.
- Bertie has been adding a lot of words to his vocabulary lately: more, please, candy (not sure how he learned that), duck, roar, Zelda, hat, car, and yogurt.
- Today, I decided I'd only eat when I was hungry. I ended up only eating 1700 calories. I guess I should always do that. :P
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Quick
A quick post, because, Holy Moly! It's been almost a month. (BTW, Rebecca, you never blog anymore).
Bertie is a lot of fun lately. I'm really enjoying being a stay at home mommy. He is funny. And I love watching him learn.
My sister and I have been doing a youtube 30 days of yoga challenge. We're almost halfway through, and we're both really liking it.
Speaking of my sister: she's getting married! No date yet, but sometime next fall.
My mom is coming in tonight!
The end!
Bertie is a lot of fun lately. I'm really enjoying being a stay at home mommy. He is funny. And I love watching him learn.
My sister and I have been doing a youtube 30 days of yoga challenge. We're almost halfway through, and we're both really liking it.
Speaking of my sister: she's getting married! No date yet, but sometime next fall.
My mom is coming in tonight!
The end!
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